NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
29 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 22, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
Dear NHTSA: I am submitting this complaint because my vehicle, a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu (VIN [XXX] ), is included in Emission Recall N252516900 issued by General Motors concerning the Fuel Pump Power Control Module. Despite that inclusion, I have experienced the following: - A prior near-fatal incident in 2023 when the veh…
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Dear NHTSA: I am submitting this complaint because my vehicle, a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu (VIN [XXX] ), is included in Emission Recall N252516900 issued by General Motors concerning the Fuel Pump Power Control Module. Despite that inclusion, I have experienced the following: - A prior near-fatal incident in 2023 when the vehicle unexpectedly shut off while stopped at a red light (engine stall) due to the root defect. - The dealer has informed me I now need a new 12-V battery (just over one year old), a new AC compressor, and a new drive/serpentine belt. - The defect referenced in the recall (interruption of fuel flow) is reasonably the root cause of these consequential failures (battery stress, accessory drive stress). - I have been without the vehicle for 11 days, have not been provided adequate interim mobility support, and have not received timely resolution from GM under my Case #XXX (agent Jasmine who has followed her company's protocol while remaining helpful and empathetic; supervisor Stephanie called October 17, 2025). Requested relief: 1. That GM be required to pay for the recall work (module replacement) **and** reimburse/cover the consequential damage (battery, compressor, belt). 2. Interim remedy: loaner vehicle or rental reimbursement for days without vehicle. 3. Acknowledgment of the safety risk posed by the defect and record of the stall incident. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11695082
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2025
Electrical System
My car has about 82000 miles and while driving it stated that I was shifted to neutral and needed to be restarted. After a few seconds the steering wheel locks up and I can’t press the gas anymore, even though the car is still in drive. This happened about 6 times on the half mile drive home. I haven’t been able to diagnose it y…
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My car has about 82000 miles and while driving it stated that I was shifted to neutral and needed to be restarted. After a few seconds the steering wheel locks up and I can’t press the gas anymore, even though the car is still in drive. This happened about 6 times on the half mile drive home. I haven’t been able to diagnose it yet since the dealership is backed up for a month. I think it’s the neutral safety switch
NHTSA ODI #11687339
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2025
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
After shifting into park and turning vehicle off -warning beep "place vehicle into park" comes on. It takes several "jerks" of gear shift to turn off. I'm scared its not in park and may roll.
NHTSA ODI #11680910
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
I was driving the car on the highway and “SERVICE ESC” popped up on my dash. Engine power reduction kicked in which caused me to have to erratically pull over to the shoulder. Brakes did not engage properly. When the “Service ESC” warning comes on the dash, the engine, transmission, and brakes stop functioning properly. The gaug…
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I was driving the car on the highway and “SERVICE ESC” popped up on my dash. Engine power reduction kicked in which caused me to have to erratically pull over to the shoulder. Brakes did not engage properly. When the “Service ESC” warning comes on the dash, the engine, transmission, and brakes stop functioning properly. The gauges start fluctuating up and down and the gps goes out of whack. Transmission won’t shift gears and the car will sometimes shut off all together.This is a very common problem with the Chevy Malibu from 2017 to present. I did my research and there is a lot of disgruntled owners that have experienced this problem. Type in “service ESC Chevy Malibu” on google, Reddit, or YouTube and you will see. I personally know two other Malibu owners with the same issue different years and mileage on there Malibu. I honestly can’t believe with all the information out there on these Malibus having the same issue there has not been a recall yet!
NHTSA ODI #11667714
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2025
Back Over PreventionElectrical SystemPower Train
SHIFTER ERROR - SCREEN READS SHIFT TO PARK ONCE CAR IS TURNED OFF ALREADY THE CAR TAKES TIME TO TURN OFF EVEN WHEN ITS OFF. IN AN EMERGENCY YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF YOUR CAR TO LOCK IT NO NO THE CHECK ENGIN LIGHT IS ON BUT IT READS FOR A FILTER
NHTSA ODI #11659472
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
I own a 2021 Chevy Malibu and I have been having issues with my transmission since November 5,2024. I was driving along at about 30 miles per hour When all of a sudden the car would not accelerate so I put the car in park and put the car back in drive and accelerated but only revved up but still would not move. I called a mechan…
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I own a 2021 Chevy Malibu and I have been having issues with my transmission since November 5,2024. I was driving along at about 30 miles per hour When all of a sudden the car would not accelerate so I put the car in park and put the car back in drive and accelerated but only revved up but still would not move. I called a mechanic to look at my vehicle and he checked that I had transmission fluid and it was full. Upon further inspection he plugged an OBD code reader on my vehicle and came up with a P0700 Transmission Control System Malfunction which is the output shaft speed sensor or the vehicle speed sensor? I spoke to a shop about the problem and they said that that year and model car has a lot of complaints from owners. They said that it could cost up to 3,000 and up to replace the transmission. I think that it should be investigated for that issue?
NHTSA ODI #11645214
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2025
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
I recently purchased this vehicle. Within the first week I was trapped in the vehicle sporadically. When I try to put my car into park, the car keep repeating "shift to park". I have tried to put the car through all gears, backing up and parking repeatedly to attempt to put the car back into park. I have been trapped in my car …
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I recently purchased this vehicle. Within the first week I was trapped in the vehicle sporadically. When I try to put my car into park, the car keep repeating "shift to park". I have tried to put the car through all gears, backing up and parking repeatedly to attempt to put the car back into park. I have been trapped in my car for hours trying to put it in gear. When I reached out to the dealership they stated that even though there is a recall for most Malibu's; however, my VIN number does not qualify for the recall.
NHTSA ODI #11642067
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2025
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension
Rear differential keeps going out and transmission keeps failing every 10k miles, apple car play doesn’t work and lags out. So hand free doesn’t work
NHTSA ODI #11638306
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
When I turn off the car it displays a 'shift to park' message and the car tries to roll if I take my foot off of the brake. My [XXX] was beside the car and was almost run over. This is a problem that the car rolls away. I have to restart the car continuously and toggle the gear shift to get it to stop. It will not let the lig…
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When I turn off the car it displays a 'shift to park' message and the car tries to roll if I take my foot off of the brake. My [XXX] was beside the car and was almost run over. This is a problem that the car rolls away. I have to restart the car continuously and toggle the gear shift to get it to stop. It will not let the lights turn off and radio and/or the other components in the car and is running the battery down. There is a recall for this problem but it is VIN specific and my car is not included. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11623537
34,200 miles · Oct 28, 2024
Electrical SystemPower Train
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and pressing the START/STOP button, the vehicle did not immediately turn off with the message "Shift to Park" displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was n…
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The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and pressing the START/STOP button, the vehicle did not immediately turn off with the message "Shift to Park" displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 34,200.
NHTSA ODI #11622245